DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 33, 22 December 1898, Page 4

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent). The Rev. Father Huault, S.M., who for the last eighteen months has been the chaplain to the Mount Magdala Asylum darinsr the abaenoe of the Very Rev. Father Ginaty, has been recalled to Sydney and left Port Lyttelton on Tuesday evening last by the Talune. During his stay in Chnstchurch the Rev. Father Huault has earned the gratitude of all who are connected with the asylum. A private letter received during the past week from the Very Rev. Father Cummings states that he has much improved in health, and that he hopes shortly to return to Christchurch. Father Cummings at the time of writing was staying at the Marist Brothers' houße at Duadalk, Ireland. He was aoout to proceed to London to say good-bye to the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes, and expressed his regret at being unable to return to the Colony with the Bishop. On Thursday afternoon last the annual prize distribution and entertainment of the Sacred Heart High School took place in the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Barbadoes street. The very large gathering was presided over by the Vicar-Geneaal. A capital programme, consisting; of a drama and vocal and instrumental music, was rendered by the pupils in a manner that reflected great credit on them and their instructors. Miss Lizette Peppier contributed a German recitation. On Friday afternoon the distribution of prizes to the children attending the girls' parish school tjok place. There was a large attendance of parents and friends at the convent. The VicarGeneral presided and distributed the prizes. A programme of instrumental and vocal music was given by the children, assisted by the young ladies from the high school. Miss Katie Young w»s the accompanist. During the afternoon a drama, entitled ' The Fire of London,' was creditably enacted by the children. In two of the rooms of the convent there was an exhibition of the work done by the pupils of both the high and the parish schools. The display included oil and crayon paintings, fancy needlework, modelling in wax and useful and ornamental work of other kinds. The display of work, which attra ted much attention, showed that the pupils had been very carefully trained. On Saturday last (December 17) the Vicar-General received a cablegram from the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes, who was at Honolulu when he dispatched the telegraphic message. The Bishop states that on thai day he would proceed via Fiji, on his voyage to New Zealand. It appears that he left Vancouver's Island on the 7th, and not, as he had expected, on the sth inst. In consequence of this delay of two days, he will not now stop any time in Wellington, but will come direct to Port Lyttelton. The vessel in which the Bishop is travelling, is due in Wellington on the 7ta of January next. On Thursday evening last the ladies of St. John, the Baptist's branch of the H.A.C 8.5., celebrated the first anniversary of their lodge by a social that was held in the Catholic H all, Barbadoes street. There was a large number of members and their friends at the gathering, which proved very enjoyable, and was kept up till a late hour. A good musical programme was well rendered, and in the course of the evening light refreshments were handed round. The lady president, Miss M. Courtney, presided. During an interval in the programme the Vicar-General, who was attended by the Rev. Fathers Derby and Richards, delivered a splendid and instructive address on the advantages to be gained by joining the lodge. At the conclusion of the discourse Brother G. J. Cellars addressed the mooting, and in doing so moved that a very hearty vote of thanks should be accorded to the Vicar-General tor his most excellent address. The motion was carried with acclamation. Anniversary Day in Canterbury was celebrated on December 16. In Christchurch the local branch of the New Zealand Natives' Association commemorated the event by unveiling a restored cross on the road to Lyttelton. which had been erected in the early days by Mrs. Godley, to mark a spring of water. The restored monument consists of a Greek cross of white stone on a pedestal of grey marble, the whole standing on the stone base which supported the original structure. The unveiling ceremony attracted to the spot fully two hundred persons. Among them were many early settlers, to whom the occasion seemed one of special interest.